15.4 Operating compartment
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - HSC 2000 Code - International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 – Resolution MSC.97(73) - Chapter 15 - Operating compartment layout - 15.4 Operating compartment

15.4 Operating compartment

  15.4.1 The design and arrangement of the operating compartment, including location and layout of the individual workstations, shall ensure the required field of vision for each function.

  15.4.2 The craft's operating compartment shall not be used for purposes other than navigation, communications and other functions essential to the safe operation of the craft, its engines, passengers and cargo.

  15.4.3 The operating compartment shall be provided with an integrated operating station for command, navigation, manoeuvring and communication and so arranged that it can accommodate those persons required to navigate the craft safely.

  15.4.4 The arrangement of equipment and means for navigation, manoeuvring, control, communication and other essential instruments shall be located sufficiently close together to enable both the officer in charge and any assisting officer to receive all necessary information and to use the equipment and controls, as required, while they are seated. If necessary, the equipment and means serving these functions shall be duplicated.

  15.4.5 If a separate workstation for supervision of engine performance is placed in the operating compartment, the location and use of this workstation shall not interfere with the primary functions to be performed in the operating station.

  15.4.6 The location of the radio equipment shall not interfere with the primary navigational functions in the operating station.

  15.4.7 The design and layout of the compartment from which the crew operate the craft and the relative positions of the primary controls shall be assessed against the essential operational manning level. Where minimum manning levels are proposed, the design and layout of the primary and communication controls shall form an integrated operational and emergency control centre from which the craft can be controlled under all operational and emergency events by the operating crew without the necessity for any crew member to vacate the compartment.

  15.4.8 The relative positions of the primary controls and the seats shall be such that each operating crew member, with the seat suitably adjusted and without prejudicing compliance with 15.2, can:

  • .1 without interference, produce full and unrestricted movement of each control both separately and with all practical combinations of movement of other controls; and

  • .2 at all workstations, exert adequate control forces for the operation to be performed.

  15.4.9 When a seat at a station from which the craft may be operated has been adjusted so as to suit the occupant, subsequent change of seat position to operate any control shall not be acceptable.

  15.4.10 In craft where the Administration considers the provision of a safety belt necessary for use by the operating crew, it shall be possible for those operating crew members, with their safety belts correctly worn, to comply with 15.4.4 except in respect of controls which it can be shown will only be required on very rare occasions and which are not associated with the need for safety restraint.

  15.4.11 The integrated operating station shall contain equipment which provides relevant information to enable the officer in charge and any assisting officer to carry out navigational and safety functions safely and efficiently.

  15.4.12 Adequate arrangements shall be made to prevent passengers from distracting the attention of the operating crew.


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